This topic was inspired by the recent design of arms (discussed in the Members' Area), which have a DNA double helix as the principal charge.

The double helix made its heraldic debut in the 1960s, and is a suitable charge for the arms of people and institutions connected with biology and medicine. What are the conventions of blazoning and emblazoning it? Well, we can deduce them from examples to hand.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh was granted Arms by lord Lyon on 10 June 1967 that contains a DNA helix blasoned as this (shield only) "Per fess wavy Sable and Argent, the scientific sign "D.N.A. Helix" fessways enhanced Gules and Azure , the sun in his splendour of the second in chief and in base a castle triple towered Sable masoned Argent port and turret caps Gules upon a rock proper, on a canton Or a lion rmapant Gules whitin a double tressure flory counter flory of the second - as a honourable augmentation coferred to the Royal society of Edinburgh by Royal Warrant."

Picture of the Full Arms as seen on a Stamp celebrating the Tercentenary of the Revival of the Order of the Thistle.